1991 Mercury Grand Marquis Problems
- Complaints
- 82filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 79,994miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Complaints about this model year center on electrical faults, especially alternator and wiring fires, along with brake wear and unexpected accelerator or speed-control events. Many reports involve high-mileage, older vehicles, and a number describe incidents while parked or just after startup.
- Electrical system
Alternator and under-hood wiring fires
- 18 complaints (22%)
- median 79,994 mi at 12.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
- 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2018
Owners describe smoke or flames from the engine compartment, often traced by mechanics to the alternator, its wiring or the harness. Several report fires that started while parked or shortly after starting the engine, and some mention damaged insulation and melted wiring being replaced. Others describe smoke from the trunk area from burnt harness wiring. Reported across a wide range of ages and mileages, with several incidents while the vehicle was parked or just started.
What to check: Have the charging system and under-hood wiring inspected, and check for scorched or spliced harness sections and a non-original alternator.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“After parking vehicle in driveway consumer was emptying the trunk and noticed smoke coming from under the hood. A fire soon erupted from the passenger's side under the hood, and was quickly extinguished. After careful examination of the results, it was determined by a certified mechanic that the alternator and the cable harness caused the fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10034051, filed 2003-08, 74,000 miles“Smoke was noticed coming from hood area. When trying to pull to side vehicle did not respond due to wires that were burnig under the hood. These were the altenator wires that shorted out. Dealer has been contacted. The fire from the terminals damaged all the insulation and the wiring of the alternator terminals under the hood.”
NHTSA complaint #873465, filed 2000-10 - Brakes
Excessive brake wear and pull
- 13 complaints (16%)
- typically at 6.0 yrs old
- 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2000
Complaints describe frequent rotor wear, repeated turning of rotors and caliper replacement, and the vehicle pulling to one side when braking. Some mention a stiff pedal or rough braking feel, and one report ties the problem to a valve in the master cylinder. Several reports fall in the 30,000-40,000 mile range, with others on older, higher-mileage vehicles.
What to check: Inspect rotor thickness and pad condition, check for pulling under braking, and ask for service records showing brake work.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“On regular road condtions when applying the brakes the vehicle would jerk to left. Rotors were turned (3) times, and brakes calipers were replaced on 5/96 at 32,000 miles 4/97 at 38,000 miles and 5/97 at 39,000 miles. Dealer stated the valve in the master cylinder caused brake problems.”
NHTSA complaint #812983, filed 1997-06“While driving during any weather condition the ABS brakes will lock up every six months. Front door locks freeze in the winter leaving them inoperable. Consumer states some wires burned causing black smoke to fill up vehicle. Brakes very rough when applied. Oil leak.”
NHTSA complaint #804220, filed 1996-10 - Vehicle speed control
Unexpected acceleration or surging
- 8 complaints (10%)
- typically at 6.1 yrs old
- 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1996–1999
Complaints describe the car lunging forward or backward after shifting into gear, sometimes with the brake pedal pressed, and in a few cases a jammed accelerator cable. Some report that braking did not disengage cruise control, requiring the hood to be opened to disconnect a switch. Mostly reported during low-speed maneuvering such as shifting into drive or reverse, with cruise-control cases at highway speed.
What to check: Ask whether the cruise-control deactivation switch and throttle linkage have been serviced, and test the throttle and cruise control at a standstill before driving.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“During cold startup shifted into reverse vehicle surged rearward. When placing selector gear into neutral slipped to drive gear, surged forward. Ran into house, and wheels still spinning with both feet on braking pedal.”
NHTSA complaint #812785, filed 1997-06“Driver turned on ignition ,put transmission in reverse with foot still on brakes , the vehicle took off in reverse, hitting 4 vehicles, and then went forward hitting a building.”
NHTSA complaint #849101, filed 1999-09 - Engine cooling
Stalling and intermittent engine quitting
- 9 complaints (11%)
- typically at 8.5 yrs old
- filed 1996–2002
Owners describe the engine cutting out at speed or after about 20 miles of driving, sometimes with loss of power steering, and intermittent bucking between 45 and 65 mph. A few reports involve fuel or ignition-sensor related work that did not resolve the symptom. Reported at varied mileages, with several cases occurring during highway driving or after the engine has warmed up.
What to check: Ask about any history of intermittent stalling and whether fuel pump, ignition and sensor-related parts have been replaced; a test drive that includes highway speeds can help.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Vehicle starts and rides for about 20 miles, then if I have to stop for some reason the car stalls especially if I have to back up. This happens almost dailly. No accidents yet but I am afraid I will cause a serious accident with this problem. I think my car should be recalled and have thid problem fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #754650, filed 2001-11“This part is currently involved in class action lawsuit in san francisco in the alameda county superioir court. Judge michael ballachey has issued a preliminary decision to order a recall on as many as 2 million vehicles model years 1983-95. Unfortunately, I couldn't wait for the recall since my vehicle had stalled twice in the last 2 months. I felt I had to payfor a artial correction (new part relocated in the same space) and wait out the results of the law suit. …”
NHTSA complaint #730341, filed 2000-09 - Air bags
Airbag warning light and deployments
- 9 complaints (11%)
- typically at 5.6 yrs old
- 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2004
Owners report the airbag indicator light coming on and staying on, sometimes intermittently, and mechanics describing difficulty getting sensors or parts. Several complaints describe deployments in low-speed situations such as backing out of a driveway, with burns reported. Reported at varying mileages, including some under 15,000 miles and others on much older vehicles.
What to check: Check that the airbag lamp behaves correctly at startup and ask whether the system has been diagnosed or repaired; a blinking or disconnected lamp may mean the system is not active.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Power window on the passenger side does not go down at all.the car keeps killing the battery and I've already spent money on an alternator used. Brake pedal seems stiff at times and does not grab well at times. Air bag light has been blinking ever since I bought car because of air bag failure. It was disconnected by the garage that the owner before me had bought it from.”
NHTSA complaint #10070780, filed 2004-01“The airbag indicator light came on and went out after about four thousand miles, after about another ten thousand miles airbag light came on again. The mechanic was not able to fix because he can't get the parts unless all sensor parts are changed.”
NHTSA complaint #513909, filed 1997-01
Buying note. Complaints on this model year concentrate on electrical and wiring issues and brake wear, so a pre-purchase inspection of the charging system, wiring harness and brakes is worth the cost. Ask for maintenance records and check that cruise control, brakes and airbag warning lights behave normally.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 46 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 82 consumer complaints for the 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis. 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 79,994 miles. Of all complaints, 12 involved a crash, 14 a fire, 13 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system21 26%
- Brakes13 16%
- Vehicle speed control12 15%
- Air bags11 13%
- Engine cooling10 12%
- Fuel system4 4.9%
- Body and structure4 4.9%
- Exterior lighting3 3.7%
- Other or unknown3 3.7%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (3), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Suspension (2), Equipment (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Was at red light. Noticed smoke from under hood. Pulled to side of road & lifted hood. Noticed flames around the alternator. Another motorist smothered flames with back pack. Vehicle towed to service station. Was informed by mechanic alternator & wiring harness had to be changed to alternator caught on fire & melted wires.”
NHTSA complaint #850479, filed 1999-10Brakes: “Owner has numerous problems with excessive brake wear. Wner notes that rotors are worn out frequently.the cause has not been identified. Dealers keep correcting problem. Owner is very concerned about this problem. These are none ABS brakes.”
NHTSA complaint #812301, filed 1997-05Vehicle speed control: “While driving on the highway with cruise control set stepped on the brakes, but they didn't deactivate the speed control. Turned vehicle off, and then back on, and that didn't help. Had to open the hood to disconnect the switch. Contacted dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #862764, filed 2000-05Air bags: “Consumer was backing out of driveway and driver's side airbag went off without prior warning. Be advised she didn't strike any objects/ a curb or tree. Consumer sustained burns to her body.”
NHTSA complaint #899555, filed 2001-11Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 74,000 and 85,988 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Marquis RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Grand Marquis Wagon RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 91V048000Mar 18, 1991Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Mercury Grand Marquis 1991, Ford Mustang 1991, Crown Victoria 1991 +2 more
The park rod assembly contains a park cam with inadequate surface hardness, which could lead to park disengagement or no park engagement when the lever is placed in park.
Recall details for the 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis.
Other model years of the Mercury Grand Marquis
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 9 | 83,750 | 2 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 25 | 36,000 | 2 | — | 19 | 42 · Typical | Rising |
| 2009 | 26 | 33,000 | 2 | — | 19 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2008 | 80 | 46,330 | 3 | — | 18 | 84 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 96 | 29,430 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 143 | 63,706 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 488 | 72,800 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 348 | 82,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 362 | 85,194 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 78 | 51,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 157 | 71,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 162 | 73,825 | 6 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 164 | 103,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 143 | 84,700 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 316 | 80,436 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 239 | 84,263 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1995 | 179 | 89,000 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 156 | 99,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 144 | 90,000 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1992 | 255 | 114,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 82 | 79,994 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 56 | 89,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 58 | 75,250 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 73 | 94,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 43 | 131,200 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 21 | — | 1 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 21 | 87,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 15 | — | 1 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
| 1983 | 7 | 74,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercury Grand Marquis model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis?
Complaints about this model year center on electrical faults, especially alternator and wiring fires, along with brake wear and unexpected accelerator or speed-control events. The issues reported most often: Alternator and under-hood wiring fires; Excessive brake wear and pull; Unexpected acceleration or surging.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis have?
NHTSA recorded 82 consumer complaints for the 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis as of Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 21 complaints (26% of the total), followed by brakes with 13.
Has the 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis get?
The EPA rates the 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis (Grand Marquis, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 79,994 miles and the middle half falls between 74,000 and 85,988 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.